Roads We've Traveled

Funding Research, Funding a Family

“And honestly, truer words were never spoken,” Hayley said. “We really became a family.”

First, click the link and read the story. Go on.

https://www.stjude.org/inspire/series/storied-lives/st-jude-cancer-survivor-hayley-arceneaux-hope-inspiration4-worlds-first-all-civilian-space-flight.html

There’s a lot to love about this story — a cancer survivor headed into space, how St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital treats patients, and how that treatment helped Hayley recognize her dreams and become part of the St. Jude’s “family.” I really can identify with that last part because that’s how I feel about Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where I was treated for leukemia.

The first time I walked into DFCI, I felt overwhelmed and scared. The visit was to discuss the next phase of my treatment, which would undoubtedly include a bone-marrow transplant. I was very weak and recovering from induction chemotherapy and surgery.

Mentally, I was coping not only with cancer but the accidental death of my younger son. It wouldn’t be too out of line to say I was a mess.

But the campus size, the fact that it was packed, and the constant activity were a real comfort for me. It told me that I wasn’t alone and that I had this massive, world-class medical institution dedicated to eradicating cancer.

When I started treatment, I wasn’t assigned a single doctor; I was given a team that included a bone marrow transplant specialist, a nurse practitioner, a social worker, and a psychiatrist. I know the presence of that team really helped me mentally when I had to face maintenance chemo, my bone-marrow transplant, and graft-vs-host disease.

Knowing that I had this team of medical professionals in my corner made me feel like I had a chance.

When you donate to a place like St. Jude’s or Dana-Farber, remember you’re funding research; you’re also supporting a family.